To be angry that another Reception child called my DS 'thick'....

[Gameboy]

...because he is only on ORT Stage 3 and this child is on Level 5...

DS is an August child and one of the youngest. He has found reading hard - it just didn't really 'click' until recently, so he was really proud when he moved up a level. And then this wretched child (who is one of the oldest in the class) goes and says this. I am livid....

Poor DS came home in tears about this today. Why do they have to be so horrid?

because they're children

the best way I've found of dealing with this (and the choice of insult round here is 'stupid' it seems) is to say "Are you thick?" and when they say 'no' say "well it doesn't matter if someone is being a bit silly then does it?"

for your ds.

Children say the cruelest things sometimes. They just don't understand the impact of what they say.

They can be little sods can't they! I must say that I am impressed with any child reading by the end of reception year, and your little boy must be doing really well. Why not get him a treat for being such a clever little boy, maybe a book.

I know children who joined reception able to read novels

DS couldn't read till year 1 he's bloody bright

I'd have a word with his teacher tbh.....my DSs nursery has a zero tolerance policy on bullying and that includes name calling like that.

This sort of thing can really dent their confidence, especially the younger ones. I hope he's alright.

Our teachers are quite good at talking to the children about not saying unkind things. Of course they still say them, but especially as it's about being on different levels of work I would mention it to them as it can affect their self esteem which isn't fair.

Strange that he is so aware of the difference at this age, sounds like the other child has pushy parents.

Kids are cruel little sh*ts though, I hate to say it yours will be cruel sometimes too!

My DS is really popular and generally kind but I have heard him tell one girl to "go away" - I told him it was wrong.

All you can do is mop up his tears, give him praise for what he is good at and help with what he struggles with.

Just keep an eye out that it doesnt become regular bullying from the other child.

It was DH who picked up DS from school and heard this first, and his response to DS was, "who? X? Oh I wouldn't worry - he's got a face like a pig's bottom, what does he know.."

erm... not my choice of response but apparently it made DS laugh

Lol gameboy my immediate reaction is "well I can learn to read but you will still be ugly" Hardly sets them a good example though

CC - yes - wasn't there a famous quote about a lady saying to Churchill (?) " You, Sir, are DRUNK!" and him replying, "and you, Madam, are ugly, but at least in the morning I shall be sober..."

I wish I could think of these sort of responses....

what a horrible child your poor ds

there is such a big difference between the eldest and the youngest in a class at this age

at your dh that is funny

clearly borstal is in order.

cos they're kids

get used it

it doesn't get any better - have a look at some of the current threads

sounds like fairly standard reception stuff, I do the same as Twiglett whilst encouraging ds2 to be nice to other children, and not do the same back. I always tell him "no need to have a row but if X is being silly then just go off and play with someone else". He knows the drill now "what do you do if someone is being silly?" "I know, I know go and play with someone else".

I really wouldnt waste any emotions getting angry at this. It's normal and what kids do.
Rightly or wrongly kids get called names, it's part of life and they have to learn to cope with it.

I really wouldnt waste any emotions getting angry at this. It's normal and what kids do.
Rightly or wrongly kids get called names, it's part of life and they have to learn to cope with it.